The local playwright, best known as the artistic director for Guys in Disguise, will take on a new role with the Edmonton Public Library.

For three decades, Hagen has featured both at centre stage and behind-the-scenes in theatre company productions of drag comedies.

Last week, he was named one of the library’s writer in residence for 2018, a role involving mentoring members of the public and allowing the opportunity for personal research and writing projects.

The Examiner sat down with Hagen to gain some insight on his plans for his upcoming assignment.

EE: Are you approaching the role with an abiding principle or particular goal in mind?

DH: I have always said that everyone has at least one story that only they can tell. I hope I can encourage everyone who is considering being a writer to start by writing that one story down. As soon as you have words on a page, the next step starts to reveal itself.

My writing career started when I decided to tell a story only I could tell. I didn’t really have a plan to be a writer. But I knew a story that needed to be told.

I think my goal with this residency is to encourage writers to dig deep. I feel the best writing happens when it matters to you.

EE: Why should the public make the effort to come seek writing advice?

DH: Every writer — myself included — has much to learn about their own craft. I am here to learn from them. People should bring me their work to read because working with other people’s work makes me a better writer!

For writers of all genres, any time you can have an outside eye taking the time to focus on the work you have done, or give you some insight as to a plan for development you hadn’t considered — it benefits your work.

There are no magic answers or solutions to being a good writer — but there are lots of ideas to open yourself up to. Whether you agree with advice or not — whether you decide to follow it or not — it’s still important to have someone ask you questions about your work.

EE: This was your third time applying for the position. Why did you keep pursuing this role?

DH: Every writer needs security. Even just for one year. This residency is exciting because it will allow me to think and plan a bit more ambitiously than I might otherwise. I have lots of ideas, but I have never had enough time. This year — finally — I just might!

EE: What experiences were important for developing your writing skills?

DH: For an Edmonton writer, the Edmonton Fringe is the most demanding, brilliant opportunity to learn the craft in fast-forward.

Where else do you have an annual deadline with real people willing to pay real money to see what you have written?

Without the Fringe, I’m not even sure I would be a writer. It didn’t just encourage me to try, it compelled me.

I performed all of my early writing, because I was writing one-man shows for myself.

I think that the experience of hearing my work out loud, having to say it out loud in front of an audience, is something that fast-forwarded my progress somewhat. I could instantly feel what worked and what didn’t.

EE: As part of the research, you are choosing to look for stories of those harassed for their sexual orientation. Why is this topic important to you?

DH: Thousands of LGBTQ Canadians had their careers ended for something that was personal, private, something that was essential to their sense of self.

Canada is evolving into a nation that nurtures and embraces its sexual minorities instead of punishing and avoiding them, coming face to face with specific examples of Canadians who lost their livelihood, their security, their reputations and their freedoms.

It will provide some real context for the apology that the Trudeau administration has pledged.